Clause 1 - Offences to which the Act applies
Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill
6:44 pm
David Hanson (Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office; Delyn, Labour)
As a Government, we believe that the practice of exiling is incompatible with the statement made on 28 July. We will have to monitor the progress on that situation as part of the work of the Independent Monitoring Commission. The legislation will come into effect in two years’ time and we must ensure that the situation with regard to exiles is addressed, so that individuals can return to Northern Ireland or to the cities in which they want to live and work. The Government will not tolerate the process of exiling. It is a difficult issue, but we have to put down markers that say that it is not acceptable to us.